The process of forming the Stone County Ambulance District approved by voters in 2024 continues with the naming of an Interim Director.

The full release from the Ambulance District is below:

The Stone County Ambulance District Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Jeff Hawkins as the Interim Director of the Stone County Ambulance District. 

Mr. Hawkins brings more than 30 years of progressive leadership in emergency medical services to this historic role. An accomplished EMS
executive, Hawkins has built a reputation for excellence in operations management, system design, and organizational development. Throughout
his career, he has served as a EMT, Critical Care Paramedic, Field Training Supervisor and Officer, Operations Manager, Clinical Services Director, and Deputy Chief at the Taney County Ambulance District, where he helped lead the organization to multiple “Missouri Emergency Medical Service of the Year” awards and national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. He is also a recipient of the Missouri EMS Administrator of the Year Award (2021) and the Springfield Business Journal’s Healthcare Champion Award (2017). 

Hawkins’ leadership extends beyond frontline operations. He has served on multiple advisory and regional committees, working closely with state and local agencies to advance EMS standards, enhance training, and strengthen emergency preparedness. He is widely recognized for his ability to foster collaborative relationships between governmental agencies, community leaders, and healthcare partners. 

The establishment of the Stone County Ambulance District marks a historic milestone; it is the first new ambulance district formed in Missouri in the past 20 years. The district was approved by voters on April 2, 2024, and the inaugural Board of Directors was seated in August 2024. Board members include Chris Daugherty (Chair), Samuel Woodall (Vice-Chair), Linda Slaughter (Treasurer/Secretary), Scott Weekley, Jerry Jenkins, and Corey Eutsler. Since then, significant work has been accomplished to lay the foundation for this vital public service. 

Under Hawkins’ leadership, the district is preparing to launch operations through a contract with a local EMS agency, with oversight provided by Hawkins and the Board of Directors. His vision is to build a high-performance ambulance district dedicated to the health and safety of the Stone County community.

“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with this rare opportunity,” said Hawkins. “I am honored to serve the citizens of Stone County and am committed to creating an ambulance district that delivers exceptional care, rapid response, and long-term sustainability. Together with the Board of Directors and our EMS partners, we will ensure Stone County has a system its citizens can be proud of.”

With Hawkins at the helm, the Stone County Ambulance District looks forward to building a strong foundation of excellence in service, accountability, and community trust.